Leinster Lightning Bolts top the table as they gained their third win of this abbreviated series racing to an 8-wicket win over the Emerging Warriors at the Bleachgreen in Ardmore.

A fine bowling display, backed up by the fielders restricted the hosts to 128 for 7 having been put in by Phillipe Le Roux.

Skipper Harry Zimmerman top-scored with 31, while there runs too for Gavin Roulston (25) and Tommy Orr (21).

The hosts though were never able to break the shackles with left-armers Mikey O'Reilly (2-26) and Matt Weldon bowling with real pace, and the varied spin of Daniel Forkin, Hamza Maan and Dylan Lues offering different challenges.

The total looked under par and so it proved as the Dubliners raced out of the blocks scoring 72 runs in the powerplay to all but settle the contest.

Merrion's Swapnil Modgill pierced the infield at will, with an array of lowing drives and pulls, while YMCA's wicket-keeper batsman Adam Rosslee was particularly severe on anything short or that offered width.

Modgill hit 10 fours and one six in his 57 from 32 balls, while Roslee's unbeaten 63 included five fours and four maximums.

Their opening stand of 109 from 57 balls was ended by Josh Wilson (2-21) who then trapped Chris De Freitas the net ball, offering no shot.

It was only scant consolation as Rosslee took 18 off the 11th over to reach his half century and give the Bolt's run-rate a further boost away from the Knights who are also on 14 points at the half-way point of the competition. 

The Emerging Knights recovered from a poor start to inflict a 63-run defeat on Munster Heat at Oakhill.

Three wickets for Byron McDonough had the NCU in trouble at 39 for 4 before they rallied thanks to a fifth wicket stand of 79 in 10 overs between Jack Dickson and CJ van der Walt.

Dickson top-scored with 58 from 47 balls (3 fours, 3 sixes), while Van Der Walt's unbeaten 41 from 37 deliveries included 3 fours and saw him clear the ropes twice in a total of 145 for 6.

That proved was too many for the Munster side who never got going at any stage thanks to a fine display by the bowling unit.

Matty Brewster made 28 but Heat struggled to 82 for 7. Adam Kennedy picked up two wickets while there were one apiece for Ben Snell, CJ van der Walt, James West and Carson McCullough.

The teams meet again on Thursday in a 50 overs contest at the same venue.